This workshop provides conducting training and critique in a non-competitive and supportive environment. Participants will conduct a piano sextet comprised of professional musicians. Participants will receive over 40 minutes of podium time. Hotel accommodations at the Hyatt can be arranged through the CMWS for a discounted rate.

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Our fourth symposium will be held 26 June – 7 July 2016. The faculty includes: John Ratledge–Founder and Artistic Director, Professor Emeritus from The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Rebecca Turner–Artist in Residence, Soprano from Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina; Annalisa Monticelli–Assistant Director, Coach/Collaborative Pianist from the Royal Academy of Music in Dublin, Ireland; Stafford Turner, Bass-Baritone and Director of Opera from Gardner Web University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina; Dearbhla Brosnan, Coach/Collaborative Pianist from the Royal Academy of Music in Dublin, Ireland; Dan Perkins, Coach/Collaborative Pianist/Lecturer, Conductor from Plymouth State University in Plymouth, New Hampshire; Karen Kanakis, Soprano from St. Louis, Missouri; Jacob Lassitter, Baritone from Webster University in St Louis, Missouri; and Jim Phillips–Wellness/Breathing/Posture Coach from New York, New York.

We are also happy to announce two fantastic additions to our faculty this year: to the Coaching and Collaborative Pianist faculty, Dr. Arlene Shrut, from The Julliard School and Manhattan School of Music faculty, and to the Conducting faculty, Dr. Allen Hightower, Director of Choral Activities at the University of North Texas.

The Conducting Masterworks Program will study Mendelssohn’s ELIJAH (Peters full score edition), Overture, all recitatives, Haydn’s CREATION (specific cuts TBA), and ten operatic arias, paying particular attention to the unique problems that occur between the orchestra, conductors, singers, and collaborative pianists. Conductors will receive daily lessons with John Ratledge, Allen Hightower, and Dan Perkins, professional soloists, a chamber orchestra, and a collaborative pianist. The following seminars will be offered for conductors: Orchestral Rehearsal Techniques in the Choral/Orchestral Setting, Score Study and Preparation for Conductors, as well as Conductors and Singers Round Table: Building Meaningful Collaboration.

Singers will participate in master classes, coachings as well as a variety of workshop sessions on character analysis, subtexting, role preparation, aria preparation, Successful Auditions for the Classical Singer, Mastering Mozart, Coaching: The Sister Art, as well as Singers and Conductors Round Table: Building Meaningful Collaboration where all the symposium participants interact together. Other course offerings: Conversational Italian and Italian Diction, 24 Italian Songs for non-Italian speakers, Laboratory Experience: Conductors, Singers, and Orchestra, and Musician Wellness: Breathing, Posture, and Well-Being. Recitals will be given by faculty members, and in addition to opera scenes, a concert of operatic arias by the participants, and two guest recitals. The week will culminate with the grand finale concert featuring our conductors, singers, and orchestra.